Next scheduled focus group on immigrant entrepreneurship is on Tuesday, 6 January at 2:00 PM. We will be at Bawnogue Enterprise and Community Centre, Bawnogue Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. Tel: 457 9662. A map is available at their Website, http://www.enterpriseaction.ie/graphics/d22.gif, or from Enterprise Action at 01- 457 9662 or email info@enterpriseaction.ie.
On Friday, January 9, the meeting will be at Dublin City Enterprise Board, Board Room, 5th Floor, O’Connell Bridge House, D’Olier Street, Dublin 2, Tel: 01 635 1144 , Web: http://www.dceb.ie. Check in with building security on the first floor tell them that you are going to the enterprise board.
O projekcie:
Challenges and Opportunities for Migrants Starting a Business: Chance to Contribute to the Policy Process
Among the many challenges for immigrants that are new to any community is general acceptance of their cultural and ethnic differences. This sometimes impacts their chances for success in their new land. In this respect, Ireland is no different than many desirable places where people have moved to seek greater good fortune. To address such issues in Dublin and to facilitate integration of immigrants with the larger
society and the economy, the Dublin City Council has partnered with the Fulbright Commission to sponsor research that might result in new policies to encourage business development and expansion among immigrant communities.
The Fulbright Scholar program named Jack Pinkowski, Ph.D., an associate professor of public administration at the Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a Fulbright scholar for 2008-2009 (http://www.fulbright.ie). Pinkowski has extensive experience consulting local governments on economic development in the United States and is now mentoring the city concerning economic development issues and enhancements that will make Dublin more attractive for immigrant entrepreneurs. He is a successful entrepreneur himself have started and operated several international businesses based in the U.S.A. (http://www.huizenga.nova.edu/faculty/?id=1481). Part of the research involves focus groups from different communities to reach general agreement on challenges faced by immigrants in business. This will result in policy recommendations that may be considered to facilitate overcoming obstacles and encouraging new enterprise or business expansion among immigrants. You can contribute to this process and make your voice heard by participating in a focus group meeting. These meetings will be combined with personal interviews and
surveys over the next few months. No one need contribute more than a few hours of his or her own time. But opinions and personal experience are very important to the collective process to be a reliable basis for recommendations. Out of this will come key suggestions for new public policy. For example, consider these questions, among others: Have you considered starting your own business here but found it difficult to
do so for some reason that is unique to your community? What would attract successful business people from your homeland to move a business to Dublin or start a new enterprise in Ireland? Do you have your own business but haven’t been able to
expand, as you would like? Are you limited to your own community but find it difficult to reach the larger market? Have you explored resources available from the government and the business support agencies with or without a successful outcome?
What are some new business concepts that you could capitalize on only if, what? How can ethnic minorities be encouraged to grow to be business entrepreneurs?
You have a stake in your own future and ours. We would like you to share your experiences and contribute to this important process. Send an email stating your interest and willingness to participate to Jack.Pinkowski@dublincity.ie, with FOCUS GROUPS in the subject line. Or call 353 (1) 222 2857 for more information.
